JK Governor for promotion of Dogri language

N. N. Vohra discussed with the 5-member delegation, led by Prof. Lalit Magotra, President of Dogri Sanstha, the salient features of the project prepared by the Dogri Sanstha for the promotion and popularization of Dogri language and literature. These included assessing the possibility of bringing out a tabloid in Dogri language, undertaking a survey of the dialects of Jammu region, translating quality Dogri literature into the English and Hindi languages and developing a Dogri Website.

After discussions of the various proposals of the Sanstha, the delegation agreed with the Governor’s view that a phased approach would need to be adopted for achieving a worthwhile outcome. In this context it was generally agreed that, as a beginning, focus should be devoted on the development of a Dogri Website.

In the foregoing context, the Governor emphasized the need for preparing a reliable project report to bring out the infrastructure, technical, manpower and financial requirements for developing the envisaged Dogri Website. He added that this would need to be followed by identification and collection of relevant material to be uploaded on this Website. The Governor assured the delegation that, once the basic work had been done, the required support for materializing the objective would be provided by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.

Other demands presented by the deputationists related to the setting up of a Dogri Research Centre at the ShriMataVaishnoDeviUniversity for the promotion of Dogri language, linguistics and culture and bringing out a multiple language dictionary.

JK Governor for promotion of Dogri language

Jammu,February 5 (Scoop News) –N. N. Vohra, Governor, today called for identification, collection, preservation and codification of all available old manuscripts in Dogri for undertaking research for the enrichment of literature and promoting this language.

The Governor, as Chief Guest, was inaugurating a 2-day Conference on “Dogri: Challenges and Opportunities”, organized by the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, at Government Degree College for Women, Gandhi Nagar, here today.

The Governor observed that considerable good work is being done by various organizations and significant valuable literature is being published every year, which is further enriching Dogri language. He called upon the CulturalAcademy, Dogri Sanstha and all those associated with the promotion of Dogri language and literature to come up with a 5 to 7 year Action Plan, indicating the areas which require greater focus and assured that, for implementing the envisaged plan, all possible support would be provided by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.

The Governor suggested for bringing out a monthly tabloid in Dogri language for the benefit of Dogri knowing people, which could be gradually converted into a fortnightly and subsequently brought out as a weekly publication. He observed that this publication could be utilized as an effective medium by upcoming writers for having their contributions published. The magazine could also bring out extracts from the works of known Dogri writers. Such an initiative could go a long way in the promotion of Dogri language. He observed that if requisite priorities are fixed and agreed strategies put in place, the promotion of Dogri as a popular spoken language can grow on a sustained basis.

Earlier, the Governor lit the ceremonial lamp to mark the commencement of the Conference.

Raman Bhalla, Minister for Housing, Horticulture and Culture, speaking on the occasion, said that the 2-day conference will provide an excellent opportunity to discuss ways and means for the promotion of Dogri language and literature. He added that the roadmap evolved during the conference would help in the growth of Dogri language. He said that all required measures would be taken for the promotion of this language.

Devender Singh Rana, MLC, speaking on the occasion, said that people in particular have a significant role in the promotion of any language, adding that everyone should feel proud in speaking his mother tongue alongside learning other languages. He added that with the inclusion of Dogri in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, new opportunities have come up for the promotion of this language.

Prof. Lalit Magotra, President, Dogri Sanstha, in his Keynote Address, congratulated Khalid Bashir Ahmad, Secretary, Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, for presenting his welcome address in Dogri language. He extensively dwelt on the challenges and opportunities for the promotion of Dogri language and called for effective utilization of new technologies to achieve this objective.

In his welcome address, Khalid Bashir Ahmad, Secretary, Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, threw light on the activities of the Academy aimed at the promotion of various languages in the State. His choosing to speak in Dogri language was received with huge applause by the audience and drew appreciation from writers and scholars of Dogri.

Speaking about aims and objects of organizing this Conference, he said that it will be spread over five working sessions. He also gave details about the papers to be presented during the Conference. He thanked the Governor for taking keen interest in the activities of the CulturalAcademy.

After the inaugural session, two sessions of paper reading were held today. In the first session, Darshan Darshi presented the Theme Paper of the Conference which was followed by observations by a host of participants including Prof. Nilambar Dev Sharma, Padma Sachdev, Prof. Lalit Mangotra, Prof. Champa Sharma Shiv Niormohi and Hasrat Gadda. In the second session, Prof. Veena Gupta, Prakash Premi and Dr. Om Goswami read out their papers on Dogri Bhasha and Dogri Sahitya focussing on challenges and opportunities. The papers also generated healthy discussion.